MST30090 Skills for Math Sciences

Academic Year 2023/2024

In this project-based module students will learn a range of mathematical and statistical software tools, as well as communication skills. They will apply these skills towards communicating/illustrating a mathematical/statistical topic or application to a non-specialist audience. Students will work in small groups. Each group will choose a topic from a list or resource provided by the module coordinator. Their final project can be one of the following: Presentation, Interactive Applet, Video, Art Work, Musical Piece/Performance, 3D Model, Game, Mobile App, Poster, Other (approved by module coordinator). Their project should be targeted to a non-specialist audience. They will also produce a report detailing the mathematics/statistics underlying their project.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Students should finish this module having improved their:

- ability to work in groups;
- ability to work autonomously in delivering a project;
- skills in a range of technological platforms for mathematics and statistics;
- understanding of the role of mathematics/statistics outside the classroom;
- presentation and communication skills;
- understanding of the challenges in explaining and motivating complex topics to non-experts.

Indicative Module Content:

The main lectured content of this module will involve training in technical, verbal, and written skills for communicating scientific ideas.

The mathematical/statistical content of this module will vary depending on the projects chosen.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Tutorial

12
Autonomous Student Learning

64
Total

100
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
This module will mostly involve group work. There will be introductory lectures on a range of tools, which students will then apply to produce their group projects. There will be brainstorming sessions, discussion and peer feedback sessions, and groups will pitch their ideas and plans of action. There may also be an assignment in which students will critically review media content which communicates mathematical/statistical ideas to a broad audience (e.g. popular maths books, online video series). 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Assignment: Multimedia Report (individual); produce a written critical analysis of mathematical/statistical expositions in various media. Week 5 n/a Graded No

10
Presentation: Give a short presentation outlining your chosen project, giving your reasoning and motivation, and presenting your vision for your final project. Week 7 n/a Graded No

10
Group Project: The group project will be assessed on a presentation, the output of the project itself, and a short report outlining the mathematical ideas underlying the project and the roles of each of the members. Coursework (End of Trimester) n/a Graded No

80

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
In-Module Resit Prior to relevant Programme Exam Board
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback will be given in the form of live discussion sessions, involving both the lecturer and your peers. Further feedback will be given to each group on the various drafts of their project, and the lecturer will be available to give advice throughout. An online forum may be used to facilitate this.

Name Role
Dr John Sheekey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
 
Spring
      
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Mon 14:00 - 15:50
Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 22, 24, 26, 29, 31, 33 Thurs 09:00 - 09:50
Spring